younger drivers
• As of Dec. 1, it is illegal for drivers under 18 to use a phone while driving – with some exceptions.
By NICOLE CARTRETTE
Staff Writer
It may be convenient, but for drivers under 18 it is now illegal.
As of Dec. 1, drivers under 18 who use their cell phones while driving are breaking North Carolina law. Violators face a $25 fine and those with a provisional license also face a six-month waiting period for a license upgrade if they are caught.
The General Assembly adopted legislation establishing the law earlier this year. Calls placed to parents, spouses, emergency services or doctors are exceptions.
Lee Duncan, 17, said his parents told him about the new law. “Driving at night, it helps keep you awake,” Duncan said, pointing out that talking while driving has both pros and cons.
“I really don’t think it will make much of a difference,” Duncan said, adding that the law is unfair. He pointed out that in his opinion his 19-year-old brother is not necessarily a better driver just because of his age.
Adults talking on cell phones while driving are not safer drivers, either, Duncan said.
Despite East Columbus High School teacher and Chadbourn Mayor Kenny Waddell’s concerns about the enforceability of the law, he thinks it’s a good idea.
“There are enough distractions without the extra distraction of a cell phone,” Waddell said. “And really, it’s not good for adults either –I’m guilty of doing it myself.
“Most young adults don’t seem to have enough focus to do two or three things at one time. I don’t know how they are going to enforce it,” Waddell said, questioning how an officer would guess a driver’s age.
In July, Whiteville Chief of Police Jerry Britt told The News Reporter the effectiveness of the law would take months to determine.
“It would take maybe six months to a year of enforcing it before we could really tell how it will work,” Britt said. “It would be very hard to enforce. You’re determining, number one, whether this kid is 18 years old or not and, number two, who they’re calling.”
Stricter seatbelt requirements and tougher penalties for drunk drivers also went into effect on Dec. 1.
All drivers, including those in the backseat, must buckle up. For the next six months back seat passengers who are caught not wearing a seatbelt will receive warning citations. Beginning July 1, 2007, they will get a $10 ticket for breaking the law.
The new DWI laws limit a judge’s discretion to find a defendant not guilty if test results indicated a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or greater. Impaired driving is expanded to include any amount of illegal drugs in the driver’s blood.
The new law also adds new categories and penalties to those convicted of DWI who injure or kill others in accidents.